SPOILER ALERT: In these posts, I discuss the events of the One More Day and Brand New Day storylines in detail. You have been warned.
During Marvel's Civil War, Peter Parker revealed his identity to the world. Under pressure from Iron Man, Spider-man was the poster boy for the safety and security of hero registration at the time, Peter Parker did the unthinkable. But he did so not only under pressure but with the go ahead from Aunt May and Mary Jane. The world should finally know who it was risking his life day in and day out. And what greater act of responsibility is there than to say, I am Spider-man and I did the best I could. So everyone then knew exactly who Spider-man was and had always been. Through the course of the Civil War though, Peter Parker would see and participate in things that he could no longer endorse and came over to join the resistance movement. But in doing so he gave up all of the benefits and protections that registration allowed. Peter Parker, Mary Jane, and Aunt May would have to go into hiding. As much as people like them can go into hiding. Eventually though, someone would get through to them. It could have been anyone, but it ended up being a hit man commissioned by the Kingpin of Crime to shoot whomever he could. Any one of the three would be fine and the one would be dear Aunt May. May would get medical treatment under a false name and Spider-man would track the assassin and the Kingpin down, but May's health was failing rapidly and the money to pay for her care was almost gone. Fans everywhere wondered what would happen next as all of the worst case scenarios for Spider-man had come to pass.
Spider-man: One More Day Part 1
This is the four part conclusion to the recent high stakes Spider-man drama that had unfolded over the past year. The unmasking, the Civil War side change that resulted in Spider-man being more of an outlaw than before, and Aunt May's life hanging in the balance. This would also be the final installment of J. Michael Straczynski's acclaimed run on Amazing Spider-man that began in 2001. Marvel's editor-in-chief Joe Quesada would personally draw the story that would begin in Amazing Spider-man #544, run through the final issues of Sensational Spider-man and Friendly Neighborhood Spider-man, and conclude in Amazing Spider-man #545. All eyes are on this story arc as it opens with the Parkers at their wit's end, unable to pay for better care for May who is in no uncertain terms, not long for this Earth. Despondent Peter Parker goes straight after Tony Stark, the man he holds responsible for what has happened. So we get a well scripted, great looking, and for some, long awaited rematch between Peter Parker (that's right he's not even in costume) and the Invincible Iron Man (who is very much in costume). While Stark feels for Parker, he cannot do anything to go against the registration program and aid the fugitive Parker. But after some brief reflection Stark does send relief in the form of the Avengers' butler Edwin Jarvis and a substantial check to the hospital. But at there is still nothing that can delay the inevitable.
Spider-man: One More Day Part 2
In part two, Spider-man seeks assitance from Dr. Stephen Strange, Marvel's master of the mystic arts and Sorcerer Supreme. Despite Spider-man's desperation, Strange explains that there is nothing he can do to halt the natural process of death. But just so Parker understands, he utilizes a powerful rune to allow Spider-man to appear to every mystic, scientist, ruler, person of influence simultaneously to plead his case. All this is presented in a beautifully illustrated splash page with guest-stars from all over the Marvel universe. But the answers are all the same, nothing can be done and that's all there is. But Peter is not satisifed and defies Strange to use the power of the rune to go back the moment where May was shot. But is of course, only able to watch and not actually affect any of what has already happened. Once Strange is able to relocate Spider-man in time before his abuse of the mystic item causes terrible damage, he suggests that Parker spend what little time is actually left in the company of Aunt May who likely can still hear him. But before he can return to the hospital, Spider-man is stopped by a red-headed little girl who offers a solution to his problems.
Spider-man: One More Day Part 3
Spider-man decides to humor the little girl who claims to have the solution to his problems and is impressed by how sharp she is. Sharp, but a little sad as well. She runs off and Peter tries to follow, but is instead of the girl, he finds what can only be described as a middle-aged fanboy. The man is a software designer designer for video games, clearly successful in a field that caters to his interests, but also wholy unsatisfied in that the only way he can be a hero is through a game. Next he meets a much older, and richer, man who my have seen the person Spider-man is looking for. This man is very successful having surpassed all the "cool kids" in life because he was always smarter. But he still pines for the love of his life from his youth that got away, he'd give it all up for her. The man parts company with Parker as he finds himself before a mysterious lady in red. The woman explains to Spider-man how slight alteration on the past could result in huge differences in the future. If somehow Peter Parker was not bitten by a radio-active spider, then perhaps he would become an isolated video game designer who completely wasted his true potential in life. Or maybe he would have become a powerful industrialist, rich from his various chemical patents, but still trapped in the past, unsatisfied. The two men Peter Parker spoke to were actually versions of himself that might have been. Great issue so far. Then, the woman in red reveals herself to be, Mephisto, Marvel's devil. Who is incidentally the only one in a position to undo what has been done and save the life of Peter's Aunt May. Not interested in Parker or Mary Jane's souls, the thing that Mephisto wants in order to spare May is...their marriage, their love. Parker initially refuses, but Mary Jane at least wants to hear the details. Hmmm...
...continued in part 2.
